The presence of cadmium (Cd) in cocoa crops is currently a serious problem for farmersand producers in various regions of South America. Because its exports of cocoa and derivativesto European markets are threatened by possible signs of contamination in cocoa beans for export.Territories with a low organic component predated and exploited by illegal logging, burning andthe intensity of unsustainable land use is common in large Amazonian areas in countries ofthe region. These factors were incorporated in statistical analysis in order to relate them to thecontents of Cd in soil, leaves and beans in the study areas located in Peru. Such as the CampoVerde-Honoria-Tournavista corridor (Ucayali Region and Huanuco Region). Cadmium concentrationswere determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. As a consequence of this study,we determined and concluded that the observed difference in distribution of Cd contents by sectorscan be explained by previous land use and age of cocoa crop. Indeed, the average content of Cd insoil in all cocoa growing areas is higher than the standard established by the Peruvian Ministry ofthe Environment (MINAM). However, when the measurements obtained in previously predatedand exploited sectors are not considered, the Hotelling’s T2 simultaneous 90% confidence intervalcontains the value of the Peruvian standard 1.4 mg/kg. Therefore, with this information we preparea geochemical Cd map in soils for the study area, which will help cocoa producers to identify areasthat exceed the allowed Cd values. In this way, we can carry out in the future a mitigation plan forareas with Cd problems, which allows to reduce their content with major challenges to sustainableagriculture and rural development.

The presence of heavy metals in cocoa crops is currently a serious problem for farmers and producers in various regions of Peru. Exports of cocoa and its derivatives to European markets are threatened by possible indications of contamination of heavy metals such as Cadmium (Cd) in cocoa beans for export, some at levels higher than those allowed by food regulations established by European Community, which are oriented to consumer protection. The possible sources of cadmium contamination in cocoa crops can be due to natural activities, such as volcanic activities, erosion processes and sedimentation in rocks that contain minerals with a high content of heavy metals (Greenockite, Burnsite, Hawleite, among others), and by anthropogenic activities such as: mining of associated deposits, agriculture (use of fertilizers), smelting of minerals and burning of fossil fuels. Currently, there is no information about contents of heavy metals in areas located in The Campo Verde-Honoria-Tournavista corridor (Ucayali Region and Huanuco Region), due to this, in this work we make a study of this region. A methodology will be used to take cocoa samples from the seed and soil in these areas, and then through chemical analysis, determine the concentrations of heavy metals, using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. As a consequence of this study, we determined and concluded that the concentrations of cadmium obtained in soils are slightly higher than European standards allowed. Therefore, with this information we prepare a geochemical cadmium map in soils for the study area, which will help cocoa producers to identify areas that exceed the allowed cadmium values, in order to comply with standards that European Community demands in relation of concentration levels of heavy metals (Cadmium) in chocolate. In this way, we can carry out in the future a mitigation plan for areas with cadmium problems, which allows to reduce their content in order to export the product without any problem. .